Tamahagane Workshop

Description

Instructed by astounding metals aficionado and bladesmith Clayton Cowart.

Students will set up and operate a modern tatara, like those used by swordsmiths in Japan, to obtain high grade tamahagane from black sand.

This course will cover the basic theory of furnace construction and metallurgy involved to achieve the elusive jeweled steel as well as learning how to identify, separate, and consolidate the different grades of tamahagane produced.

This is a hands-on course where the students will be assembling the furnace, chopping coal, feeding the tatara, tapping the slag, and pulling the bloom. There will also be a demo on consolidation techniques, tips, and tricks.

Friday night students will have the option of coming to participate in setting up the furnace. Sunday will be the final consolidation unless time allows on Saturday. *The burn will take place on Saturday June 1, 2019.

All materials and tools will be provided. Please bring safety glasses and work gloves if you have them. Closed toed shoes are required.

The price of the class is $600. You can either pay the full amount at the time you sign up or put half down to hold your spot. The balance will be due upon arriving at the workshop. If we do not receive enough registrations with deposit 30 days prior to the date of the class, we reserve the right to cancel the class with a full refund. Cancellation with a 100% refund can be done up to 30 days prior to the class. Cancellation within 2-4 weeks before the class will receive a 50% refund. Cancellation less than 14 days prior to class is non-refundable. Funds may be rolled over to another class, please contact us.